PBS documentary on Bible to add to debate about faith and archeology

Followers of the three monotheistic religions will have a bone to pick with tonight’s airing of “The Bible’s Buried Secrets” at 7 p.m. (CST) on PBS.

Offered as a purely scientific project, the two-hour show claims:

— Abraham and Sarah and their children didn’t exist;

— There’s no archeological evidence the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt took place;

— The Israelites are the Canaanites mentioned in the Bible and not a separate people;

— Monotheism developed over hundreds of years.

Reviewers of the work agree it is interesting and worth viewing because of its fact-based approach. But they differ on the program’s interpretation of facts and whether it can make sweeping conclusions with a limited set of facts.

One thing’s for sure, the conservative Christian organization American Family Association (embed link) takes issue and is circulating a

petition, protesting the use of PBS’ money to produce what they see as a direct insult to the Christian faith.